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‘Happiness is a fresh, seasonal Avocado’, is the most stirring quote that made me rapt in the recent times. What is all in an Avocado that brings so much joy to humanity?

Avocado is nature’s souvenir that has been trusted and taken for treating cardiovascular problems, psoriasis, periodontal conditions, obesity, diabetes, wrinkles, halitosis, hair loss and numerous other medical conditions.

“Avocado is sweet and warm, excellent for the liver, high in vitamin E, is a skin moisturizer, and is good for weak tissues”, quotes Light Miller and Bryan Miller in their book ‘Ayurveda and Aromatherapy.

Called as Neerabijh (Sanskrit) or Makhanphal (Hindi) in Ayurveda, Avocado is employed in Ayurvedic healing as a skin tonic and for reducing bad cholesterol and chronic constipation; boosting libido, regulating insulin secretion, fighting against free radicals, enhancing ojas (strength, endurance and brilliance); and for treating alopecia, insomnia and joint pain.

Avocado is said to have been born in Mexico in the state of Puebla, though various substantiations from fossil testing states that it might have originated in California. It is recorded as one of the most primitive fruits consumed by the Mesoamerican populace, including the Maya, Olmec and the Mokaya of the Soconusco.

The ancient proof of Avocado’s presence in Mexico dates back to 10,000 BC. The leading producers of Avocado are Mexico with 500,000 tons per year, followed by California with 200,000 tons and Florida with 35,000 tons.

Avocados have been used by the Maya populace of Guatemala for diagnosing diarrhea, warding off intestinal worms and parasites and for enhancing the growth of healthy hair.

The Mexican iconography portrays Avocado and the Nahuatl term for avocado is ahuacatl, which means testicle in English. In accordance to the Mexican mythology, the fruit of avocado grants enormous energy.

It’s time to relate the effectiveness of Avocado as an immune stimulant and a sexual booster and one among the best natural alternative for delaying the aging process.

From the prehistoric times till today, Avocado and its cold-pressed magnificent oil is used in the manufacturing of soaps, shampoos, conditioners, serums, moisturizing creams, lotions, massage blends and an extensive array of cosmetic products.

Avocado is a familiar cooking oil with manifold benefits in it. It is a vital part of the popular Mexican dip, Guacamole and in corn tortillas. Salads, soups, desserts, savory dishes, snacks, sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers and a long-drawn-out list has Avocado as a main ingredient for its creamy taste and bulky benefits.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Avocado oil:

Avocado is an excellent remedial bliss in disguise, just like a Jackfruit that is rough on the outside and extremely sweet and smooth in the inside.

Ayurveda states that the fruit of Avocado and the oil extracted from its pulp is extremely beneficial in the treatment of vata dosha vitiations like scaly skin, psoriasis, constipation, rough and aged-skin, muscular stiffness, dry hair, joint pain, insomnia, improper blood circulation and wrinkles.

Avocado is also a promising remedy in the treatment of Pitta imbalances like poor metabolism, ulcer, tension, heartburn and inflammatory conditions.

Avocado is used in massage since the traditional times, especially for its enormous benefits to the skin.

Ayurveda denotes that all things in this universe is made up of five vital elements namely fire, earth, water, air and space and these are together known as Panchamahabhutas or the building blocks of life.

“Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind and intellect and also ego-sense; these are the eight-fold division of my nature. This is inferior. Know my mother nature, the higher, Oh Mighty-Armed, the life-element by which the universe is upheld”. (7:4-5) – Bhagavad Gita

Earth consists of all the natural nutrients like vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium) and phytochemicals within it. Every single plant that grows on earth observes these natural nutrients based upon its temperament and the environment in which it grows.

Since human body is also a combination of these 5 vital elements and it also contains such vital nutrients and these are responsible for the well-being of various parts of the body. Deficiency or excess of any of these natural nutrients leads to illness.

Thus treating such insufficiency with natural alternatives aids in diagnosing the illness initially and thus prevent it in the future as well.

For example, deficiency of vitamin A might end up in night blindness and other ocular effects, dry and scaly skin, respiratory infections, follicular thickening of the skin surface, low immunity and growth retardation problems in children.

Intake of natural foods that are rich in Vitamin A like carrots, sweet potato, lettuce, melon, tropical fruits and other green leafy vegetables can assist in treating the symptoms and diagnosing Vitamin A deficiency disorders.

Bright colored vegetables and fruits acquire vitamins from the earth and thus vitamin deficiencies are treated naturally by ingesting such food varieties.

In a much similar way, Avocado is rich in Vitamins C, E, B and K, potassium and monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. Eating fresh Avocados and using Avocado oil for dermal use might assist in balancing such deficiencies in the system.

The most momentous Ayurvedic benefits of Avocado and its nourishing oil are as follows:

1. Assists in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism:

The presence of phytochemicals in Avocado is a healthy reason for its effectiveness in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It is for this reason, Avocado along with the blend of Soybean oil is recommended by Denmark as a food supplement for treating inflammation and influencing the repair and growth of cartilage.

France has determined this duo oil as prescription medicine. This is further substantiated by various research analyses published in the journal ‘Ugeschrift for laeger’ that have proved the usefulness of this blend in the healing of osteoarthritis in the knee and hip area.

“Avocado oil inhibited a pro-inflammatory cytokine molecule” states the research report published in the 2006 Journal Periodontal Disease issue, where human bone cells and periodontal ligaments were studied, thus demonstrating that Avocado oil with its anti-inflammatory values aids in reducing inflammation and preventing certain other symptoms of periodontal disease like erosion of bone.

The anti-inflammatory attribute of Avocado oil is endorsed to its rich presence of phytonutrients like polyphenols and flavonoids.

It further adds “The major components of ASU by weight are the phytosterols beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Phytosterols in general, and beta-sitosterol in particular, are now considered potent anti-inflammatory agents with antioxidant and analgesic activity.”

Massaging the painful parts with 2 ounce of Avocado oil blended with 1 ounce of Soybean oil can be of immense help in fighting against free radicals, reducing pain, inflammation, muscular stiffness and cartilage damages and in enhancing blood circulation in the affected area.

Pranayama or conscious breathing assists in the treatment of rheumatism, atherosclerosis, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions that mainly occur due to the stagnation of toxic remains in the system, where ama or toxic substances in the body are flushed out through slow and steady exhalation.

2. Supports healthy heart functions by condensing cholesterol levels:

The presence of beta-sitosterol makes Avocado and its oil as the friendliest oil for supporting the healthy functions of your heart. This is a type of phytosterol, which is structurally alike to body’s cholesterol.

They are often termed as ‘heart healthy nutrients’ because of their efficacy in converting low healthy fats into substances that will be comparatively less detrimental to the cells and are more exploitable.

Avocado with its phytosterol components does enormous goodness to the system as its anti-inflammatory properties due to phytosterol compounds help in reducing the risk of heart diseases mainly due to deposits of plaque or other mass substances.

Avocado and its oil help in trimming down excess inflammation and clog in the arteries and thwart the arterial walls from all kinds of damages and aid in maintaining normal levels of blood pressure.

Research study on the effects of increased ingestion of Avocado has witnessed considerable decrease of cholesterol levels in blood. This analysis sustained for about 7 days with diet rich in Avocados, where patients with slight hypercholesterolemia evidenced a 17 percent drop off in the levels of total serum cholesterols.

It also evidenced about 11 percent increase in HDL (good cholesterol) and 22 percent decrease in the levels of triglyceride and LDL (bad cholesterol), thus Avocados have also been proven to support healthier lipid profiles.

Eating Avocados in salad or as whole is a great way to relay its immense benefits to your system but Avocado oil is of great significance as it exists in a more concentrated form.

Blend 4 ounce of Avocado oil with 5 drops of Ginger oil and 5 drops of Spearmint oil and rejuvenate your system with a warm massage on your weekends. Indeed it is one among the comfy way to get rid of excess cholesterol and toxic remains in your system.

3. ‘Pick-me-up’ oil for most of your skin problems:

Pick up the most capacious oil of Avocado with your eyes closed just for the treatment of most of your skin conditions.

Avocado and its nourishing pulpy oil is known for repairing the damaged skin cells, supporting the growth of new cells, moisturizing the skin, augmenting the production of collagen and for treating wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s foot and certain other symptoms of aging.

The significant factors behind the skin nourishing attribute of Avocado oil is the presence of enormous nutrients including potassium, vitamins A, D and E (act as antioxidants), sterolin, lecithin, proteins and high presence of unsaturated fatty acids including omega-3 fatty acids.

Blend 2 ounce of Avocado oil with 10 drops of Evening Primrose oil and 10 drops of Jojoba oil. Relish your skin and your senses with this rich massage blend for about twice in a week. Leave it to rest for about half an hour. Follow this massage with a cool bath and feel the difference of your skin in less than 2 months.

The presence of sterolin, unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and antioxidant vitamins in Avocado oil assists deeper penetration into the skin surface and the bloodstream.

A 12 week study listed in the Journal of Dermatology on the effectiveness of Avocado oil and Vitamin B12 on Psoriasis evidenced regular progress in the participants suffering from psoriasis.

4. Enhances digestive power and aids in weight management:

Avocado and its oil are known to increase the efficacy and the normal functioning of the digestive tract.

The oil of Avocado has soothing effects on the intestine, stomach and the digestive system as a whole. Being a mild and gentle oil, Avocado can assist in the treatment of ulcer, heartburn, improper metabolic functions and inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 fatty acid support in improving your metabolism and boost your appetite, thus granting you a feeling of fullness with its enormous nutrient content.

A balanced and healthy diet with regular exercise, healthy lifestyle practices, proper utilization of your physical and emotional energies, meditation and supporting techniques including massage with Ayurvedic oils like Avocado and detoxification for eliminating the toxic remains in your system, is more than enough to shed your extra pounds and live fit forever.

Massaging your abdomen with 10 drops of Avocado oil mixed with 1 drop of Lemon oil and 1 drop of Peppermint oil, especially before your meals is an excellent way to nurture your appetite and soothe the lining of the stomach and intestines.

A 2014 study on the ‘Effect of Dietary Intake of Avocado Oil and Olive Oil on Biochemical Markers of Liver Function in Sucrose-Fed Rats’ published in the BioMed Research International states that the intake of sucrose affects the total levels of bilirubin and proteins, which affects the function of liver and other metabolic mayhems.

Avocado oil is powered with enormous antioxidants including carotenoids, polyphenols, tocopherols and proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants help in fighting against the free radicals responsible for cellular degeneration and the development of tumors in cancerous attacks.

The anti-cancer or anti-carcinogenic properties of Avocado is attributed to the presence of bioactive chemical components like terpenoids, carotenoids, D-mannoheptulose, phenols, persenone A and B, and glutathione, where glutathione is a tripeptide that consists of three amino acids namely glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine.

A 2013 study on ‘Dietary avocado oil supplementation attenuates the alterations induced by type I diabetes and oxidative stress in electron transfer at the complex II-complex III segment of the electron transport chain in rat kidney mitochondria’ published in PubMed states “a protective effect of avocado oil against lipid peroxidation was observed consistently only in control mitochondria.”

This study concludes that the defensive outcome of Avocado oil is attributed to the antioxidant effects of carotenoids and glutathione that penetrates through the blood stream and reaches mitochondria (vital part of the cellular structure), where energy production and respiration happens.

Other benefits:

The other popular health benefits of Avocado oil are its effectiveness in the treatment of cracked heels, sunburn, insect stings, dandruff, wounds, loss of libido, blisters, bad breath, rashes, insomnia, periodontal diseases and more.

Disclaimer:

This piece of information is only for educational purposes and is not in any way meant to be used for diagnosis or as a substitute for any prescribed medications or the professional advice of your Doctor. We, at Essential Depot are not healthcare experts and this article is written only with the intention of sharing the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda.

Essential oils are meant for topical use only and not for ingestion, as pure and organic essential oils are the life force of plants and are highly concentrated substances. Seek the advice of your Ayurvedic expert or healthcare professional before choosing the appropriate essential oils for your state of health and unique individual constitution.

Thought for the day:

The Avocado is a food without rival among the fruits, the veritable fruit of paradise.

Discerning lovers of nature will always choose Jamarosa oil instead of 4 different oils to explore the magic of rosy, citrusy, spicy and grassy fragrance put together in a single bottle. Yes! Jamarosa essential oil is the proud owner of these entire diverse aromas, for which it has been used in the perfume industry for ages together.

Often used for instilling rose like fragrances, Jamarosa has also been used in the field of Ayurvedic medicine for treating fever, insect bites, blood impurities, fungal infections, vomiting and skin problems.

Also called as Jamrosa, this aromatic herb is a popular grass hybrid and a renowned wing of the Cymbopogon family. Like most of the celebrated herbs, Jamarosa is also indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and is grown extensively in Southern India and certain other states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

The most exotic fragrance and medicinal attributes of this grass variety comes from its parental hybrids, Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Cymbopogon nardus var. confertiflorus. Among these, Jwarancusa is an interesting species and its name is extracted from two Sanskrit terms, “Jwar and Ankusha”, which means “fever and breaker” respectively. Just like its name, this herb is a trusted remedy for treating fever and blood impurities.

Cymbopogon jwarancusa has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that are contributed to its bio-chemical components. Many researchers have proved the effectiveness of this Ayurvedic herb in the treatment of blood disorders, vomiting, skin problems, unconsciousness and abdominal tumors.

The next parental hybrid of Jamarosa plant is Cymbopogon nardus var. confertiflorus, which is commonly called as Citronella. This fresh lemony and sweet-smelling grass variety is a natural air purifier and an established insect repellant. Being a blend of these two beneficial plant varieties, Jamarosa is also said to inherit the medicinal and therapeutic values from its parental hybrids.

The enriching aroma of this grass hybrid has made its use vital in the perfumery industry especially for creating rose like fragrances. The sturdy grass fibers are used in the making of statues and idols having splash of Paris. Jamarosa grass is also been supplied as raw materials for industries that use fibers. It is also used as a feed for cattle and as natural manure.

Jamarosa is a popular ingredient in the making of agarbatti or traditional incense sticks, raw agarbatti and organic insect repellants.

Ayurveda is undoubtedly the pioneer of the medicinal world, and is lovingly beckoned as the Mother of all healing systems on earth. Being a 5000 years old healthcare methodology, Ayurveda focuses on natural remedies for curing illnesses, prevention of diseases and longevity.

Ayurvedic medicine was known to be gifted by Lord Brahma, the Lord of Creation to Acharya Dhanvantari, famously called as the God of medicine of Ayurveda and as the physician of Gods. Among the 4 sacred books (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvaveda) or Vedas of the ancient Hindu mythology, Ayurveda is a vital part of Atharvaveda.

The idealistic practices of Ayurveda rests on Mother Nature for treatment of mankind as it is raised on the trust that everything on earth is a part of Nature and the wellness and illness of a person is strongly determined with his/her balance with Nature.

The principles of the mythological saints and Vedic entities strongly state that the entire universe is made up of five fundamental elements of nature, namely space, earth, water, fire and air.

Mankind is also made of these vital elements, where earth represents the muscles and bones, water represents the blood and other vital fluids, fire represents the metabolic force and body temperature, air represents the breathing mechanism and space is the soul or life energy that keeps a person alive.

Based on these fundamental elements, Ayurveda classifies human beings as a representation of the biological energies known as doshas, namely vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is a combination of space and air, pitta is fire and water and kapha is water and earth.

Every person has a unique individual constitution or Prakriti with a combination of all the three doshas in a particular order based upon Nature’s law with a predominance of any one of these doshas. This predominance assists in determining the character, personality, traits and behavioral patterns of a person.

Absolute balance between these doshas as per their natural setup indicates heartiness and doshic imbalances due to lifestyle changes, irregular food habits, climatic variations and other disruptive behavior leads to illnesses.

Ayurvedic treatment begins with the tracing of the unique individual constitution and the treatment methodologies also differ from individual to individual even for the same sickness. This is because Ayurveda strongly believes that individual is unique and the means of treating their health condition should also be unique.

The major Ayurvedic therapies include herbs, Ayurvedic essential oils, yoga, Pranayama (the art of balanced breathing), simple physical exercises, meditation, Panchakarma or the detoxification techniques, Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massaging, taking up an Ayurvedic routine and much more.

The essential oil of Jamarosa is known to appease vata, pitta and kapha imbalances. Come let’s go through the Ayurvedic health benefits of Jamarosa essential oil in a jiffy.

I’m ready to take you through the effective uses of Jamarosa oil in detail. Are you ready for the retreat?!

1. Pampers the skin and placates skin disorders:

Few sources state that Jamarosa has similar medicinal benefits like its sibling grass variety, Palmarosa. The book ‘Ayurveda and Aromatherapy’ by Light Miller and Bryan Miller quote Cymbopogon martinii (Palmarosa) as “Palmarosa is widely used in Ayurvedic skin care. It is good for all skin types because it is a cellular stimulator and supports all cell regulation. It’s highly antiseptic, calming, uplifting and anti-depressive.”

A blend of 2 drops of Jamarosa oil with 2 drops of Palmarosa oil and 2 ml of Jojoba oil can work like a wonder on your skin. Applying this nourishing blend on your skin can help in restoring the natural sustenance of the damaged skin cells, eliminating the dead cells and in promoting the growth of new and healthy cells.

Applying it in slow circular movements on wrinkles and scars can support in invigorating the skin, retaining the skin suppleness, enhancing the collagen and helping in diminishing scars, marks and wrinkles, treat fungal infections with its antioxidant, antifungal and anti-bacterial properties.

The great news is that Jamarosa oil suits all types of skin and is perfect for use during all seasons of the year. It is also helpful in the treatment of scar tissues in wounds, dermatitis and other skin infections.

2. Calms the nerves and beats the ill-effects of stress:

The essential oil of Jamarosa has a pleasant, engaging, refreshing and energizing aroma that stimulates the nerves, calms the mind and inculcates positive effects in the limbic system, the control center of the brain that is responsible for passing on commands to the system on feelings, thoughts and behavioral responses.

Stress is the slow poison that hinders the normal functions of the body and leaves a blank effect on the mental abilities. The main reason for stress is suppressing the mind with too many things at a particular time. When the mind struggles or suffers in tackling with too many factors than its ability, mental stress or distortion occurs.

Stressful situations spoil the entire curriculum and results in mood-fluctuations of the entire environment around us. It also ends up in depression and deep ill-effects on the central nervous system. Fatigue, anger, anxiety, fear, memory problems, feelings of loneliness, lack of appetite, low productivity, insomnia and suppression are certain other ill-effects of stress and nervous tension.

Jamarosa essential oil has stimulating, relaxant and sedative effects that supports the functions of the limbic system and aids in promoting positive feelings. Massaging your system with 5 drops of Jamarosa oil along with 5 drops of Rose Geranium oil, 5 drops of Juniper Berry oil with 100 ml of coconut oil can uplift your senses, pacify your nerves, soothe tensed muscles and support in bringing absolute tranquility.

You can also add 2 drops of Jamarosa oil in your diffuser or air freshener or bathing water every day for an energetic start on every rising day. 1 drop of this oil added to your hankie or a tissue can recharge your mental power on any given time during the day.

3. Aromatic insect repellant:

Being an offspring of the most popular natural insect repellant, Citronella, Jamarosa also inherits the power of combating harmful insects like mosquitoes and bed bugs. 2 drops of Jamarosa oil with 2 drops of Citronella oil along with 2 ml of olive oil can be rubbed into your skin to protect you from insect bites. This blend can also help in treating the ill-effects of insect bites like rashes, itching and allergies.

Adding 2 drops of this oil in your burner, vaporizer or diffuser is also a great idea to safeguard your loved ones from mosquitoes and other insect bites.

Adding 1 drop of Jamarosa oil to your hankie or a tissue paper can help in enhancing the appetite and assisting in soothing the lining of the stomach and intestines. You can also massage your abdomen with 2 drops of Jamarosa oil mixed with 2 drops of Rose Geranium oil and 2 ml of sesame oil for supporting your digestive difficulties.

5. Fights anxiety and promotes peaceful sleep:

The essential oil of Jamarosa has a slightly rosy and fruity aroma that instills uplifting and calmative effects on the nervous system. These attributes helps the body in fighting against insomnia, anxiety and fatigue.

2 drops of Jamarosa oil mixed with 1 drop of Palmarosa oil in your diffuser or air freshener can be an excellent aid in promoting peaceful sleep by relaxing your nerves, tranquilizing your mind, and in reducing anxiety, restlessness and worries. What next? A refreshing start to a promising day is guaranteed.

6. Reduces fever and helps relieve respiratory infections:

As mentioned earlier, Cymbopogon jwarancusa is one of the mother hybrids of Jamarosa oil, where the term ‘jwarancusa’ is taken from the two Sanskrit terms, “Jwar and Ankusha”, literally meaning “fever and breaker”.

Jamarosa essential oil also extorts this property from its parental hybrid and is used in curing fever, cold, microbial infections, blood impurities and certain other respiratory disorders with its anti-microbial and antioxidant properties.

Generally, common cold and few other respiratory infections are highly vulnerable. Using Jamarosa oil in your bathing water daily (preferably 2 drops) can assist in controlling the spread of such infections by combating the growth of microbes responsible for health conditions like fever and cold.

You can also use 2 drops of Jamarosa oil in steam inhalation for relieving from blocked nasal passages and sore throat. Massaging your foot soles with 2 drops of Jamarosa oil with 2 drops of Gingergrass oil mixed with 3 ml of coconut oil can aid in reducing fever.

Disclaimer:

This article is only for educational uses and is not suggested for diagnosis or for replacing any expert medical advice or prescription medicines. We are not healthcare professionals and this information is circulated only with the idea of sharing the ancient healing wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine, the mother of all remedial practices.

Never take essential oils internally and is only recommended for dermatological purposes. This is because pure and organic essential oils are extremely concentrated substances and may cause allergies or other negative effects, when used on the skin directly.

Consult with your healthcare expert or Ayurvedic professional before choosing the suitable essential oils for your health condition and dosha type or your unique individual constitution. Keep away from children and care should be taken if you are nursing or a pregnant mom.

Thought for the day:

Bare feet on the grass comfort the spirit and connect the body to the earth all at once! – Maximillian Degenerez